Carpet-sweeper



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

M. R.V BISSELL, GARPBT SWBBPER.

No. 272,022. Patented Feb. 13,1883.

n, mana mmm-www. www D- l UNITED STATES PATENT rtree.

MELVILLE B.-BISSELL, OF GRAND RAPIDS,MIGHIGAN.

CARPET-SWEEP-ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 272,022, dated February13, 1883. l

i Application tiled September 30, 1882. (No model.) i Y tires.

The object of myinven-tion is to provide novel means whereby the wheelswhich drive the i brush-shaft can be dropped 'from the sweepercasingwhenthe latter is lifted from the floor, thereby permitting thedrivewheels to be oiled or cleansed. This object I accomplish by theconstruction and combination of parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in

whichy,

Figure 1 represents a top view ot' a carpetsweeper with the cover orlidremoved, and showing an arrangement of wheels for supporting thesweeper-casing and rotating the brushshaft. Figi). is an end elevationofmyimproved sweeper, the end ofthe casing being' removed and one of thewheels being shown as swung outward beneath the body ofthe casing. Fig.

A:is

3 is a similar view ot' the sweeper in position for operation, andillustrating a modified construction ot' elastic devices for pivotingthe wheel-support. Fig. 4 shows another moditicationl in the pivotedspringsupport, aperspective ot' which is shown in Fig. 5; and Figs. 6and Z are similar views, illustrating a third modification of saiddevices, all ot' which will be hereinafter more fully descrihed,likeletters of reference being used to designate the same parts in theseveral-views.

ThecasingorboxA,which contains the dustreceptacles, rotating brush, andthe supporting and operating mechanism, maybe made ot' any suitablematerial and in any convenientor desirable form. This box or casingshould be provided with a bail or handle,and with suitable lids orcovers, which are not shown, however, in the drawings.

Near each end of the box orv casing A is a transverse partition, B B,which divide the box into three compartments, as shown in Fig. l. ThesepartitionsA are v each notched or cut away on their under edges topermit the passage of the ends of the brush-.shaft C, which bears ateach end against a dat spring., d, secured to the inner face ofthe boxat each end. On each side ofthe brush and arranged between thepartitions B B is a dust-receptacle, b b, constructed, in the ordinarymanner, of tin or other light and. suitable material.

The brush-shaft C is preferably provided" at each end with an enlargedportion, forming a friction roller or pulley, c, which may be eitherformed on or attached to theishatt in any welli known manner.

On each side of the friction pulley or roller c, at either or both endsof the casin g, is placed a supportingwheel, D, that is so arranged asto'bear against the pulley c and drive the same by frictional contact,thereby rotatin g the brush-shaft and brush when the sweeper is rolledover a door orcarpet. The `driving and supporting wheels D may be madein any suitable manner and of any appropriate material, and arepreferably'provided with rubber tires,

or tires of other similar elastic and noiseless V substance.

It desired, ,the pulleys or rollers c may be covered in a similarmanner; or the rubber or other elastic material may be applied to themalone;, but I-preier to attach it to the drive wheels only.

It will be observed that the drive-wheels D and pulleys care arranged inthe narrow spaces or compartments formed at each end of the box by thepartitions B B, and that their respectn ive position is such that thepulleys on the brush-shaft are supported and rotated through theirfrictional contact with said drive-wheels.

The sweeper-supporting and brush-driving wheels D D are journaled inyokes or housings d d, attached to springs E E; and in order that thewheels may be turned' down and outof the casing for the purpose of beingcleansed and oiled when required, their springbearings E are pivoted tothe casein any suitable manner, a thumbscrew, e, or other equivalentdevicesuch as a snap or spring-being arranged to hold the parts in theirnormal position when required. The spring E, as shown in Figs. l and 2,extends down from the yoke d, and after passing around a screw or pivot,f, is carried SoV IOO

hack and up into the sweeper-case, so as to rest or bear against theinner side of the same. This construction secures lall the advantages ofan elliptic spring, and permits of greater elasticity in the working ofthe drive-wheels than would be possible with an ordinary straight springalone, though such spring may be used,

if desired. By means of the pivotal connection of the spring-yoke withthe sweeper-casing yit is held at all times in a true and uprightposition, so that the wheels will not lap over to one side when bearingon the brush-shaft. By the construction, also, the Wheel maybe readilyturned or swung out for cleansing, oiling, or other purposes. After thewheels have been returned to their usual and proper position they areprevented from swinging'or falling outward. by means of the screws e,which secure the wheelbearings, so that the sweeper may be swung fromthe iioor Withoutdisarranging thewheels.

Instead of passing the spring E around a pivot,f, as shown in Fig. 2,itmay be attached to a pivoted stirrup. g, as shown in Figs. 3 or4, or toa pivoted plate, h, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

f In Figs. 3 and 6 the interior ofthe casing is shown provided with anabutment, @that may be either convex or concave in form, and arranged atany suitable height to form a counter-bearing for the spring E whenforced back by the drive-wheels resting on the lioor or surface to beswept.

In Fig. 4 the abutment i is omitted; but the pivoted stirrup orconnection g, as shown in Fig. 5, is provided with a iiange orprojection, 7c, that is adapted to bear against the interior of thecasing and hold the spring E from contact therewith, the same purposebeing also accomplished by the short upwardly-curved end of the spring,as shown in Fig. 2.

4 It will be seen that as the sweeper is operated its weight, eithertogether with or independent of the pressure exerted' by the operator,will besufticient to hold the wheels in fricA tional contact with thebrush-shaft, thereby causing the same to rotate.` By reason of therubber or elastic tires on the wheels they are enabled to operatenoiselessly and without liability of injury to a carpet, while by beinghung or supported in pivoted bearings,asdescribed, they may be readilyswung outward for cleansing, so as to prevent them from becomingclogged.

It is obvious that the supportingand driving wheels, as described, maybe arranged at only one end of the sweeper-casing, if desired, thoughthe construction and arrangement shown is deemed preferable.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In acarpet-sweeper, the combination of a sweeper-casing, a brush-shaft, adrive-wheel for revolving the brush-shaft, a support carrying thedrive-wheel, and a pressure-spring connected at one end with thewheelsupport, and having at its other end a hinged or pivoted connectionwith the sweeper-easing, which permits the wheel, its support, and thepressurespring to descend out of the sweeper-casing when the latter islifted from the iioor, substantially as described.

2. In a carpet-sweeper, the combinatiomwith a casing and a rotarybrush-shaft supported therein, ot' driving-wheels journaled in movableyokes, springs attached to said yokes and curved around a suitablepivot, and means for securing the wheels within the casing and ini'rictional contact with the brush-shaft, substantially as described. i

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my handin the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

MELVILLE R. BISSELL. Witnesses:

JAMES L. Noais, J. A. RUTHERFORD.

